Celebrating 25 Years At the forefront of neural research in degenerative, acquired and behavioral disorders

On Feb. 2 we celebrated the McKnight Brain Institute's 25th anniversary with a community symposium!

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McKnight Brain Institute 25th Anniversary Community Event

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CELEBRATING our LEGACY

25 Years of Collaboration and Innovation

The McKnight Brain Institute's 25th Anniversary Celebration recognizes our past accomplishments as we look to the future with a renewed focus on changing neural disorders from untreatable to treatable, incurable to curable and inevitable to preventable.

M-B-I 25th anniversary silver logo

Through the years: McKnight Brain Institute Directors

2023-Present: Jennifer Bizon, Ph.D.

Dr. Bizon’s research program is broadly focused on understanding brain aging and its implications for cognitive function. Specifically, her laboratory employs an integrative approach that combines cognitive assessments with molecular, pharmacological and optogenetic methodologies.

todd golde

2016-2022: Todd Golde, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Golde helped lay the foundation for the amyloid hypothesis, and he's made contributions to the understanding of amyloid and tau pathologies, and the immune system's role in Alzheimer's. He was founding director of UF’s Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease.

Dekosky

2015-2016: Steven T. DeKosky, M.D. (interim director)

Dr. DeKosky’s research focuses on structural and neurochemical changes in the human brain in aging and dementia, the effects of traumatic brain injury and the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s. He is currently MBI deputy director and UF’s Aerts-Cosper Professor of Alzheimer's Research.

Tetsuo Ashizawa

2010-2015: Tetsuo Ashizawa, M.D.

Dr. Ashizawa’s research focuses on neurogenetic disorders caused by expansions of DNA sequences connected end-to-end and abnormally repeated, such as myotonic dystrophies, spinocerebellar ataxias, Friedreich’s ataxia and Huntington’s. He also served as chair of UF Neurology from 2009-2014. 

dennis steindler

2004-2010: Dennis A. Steindler, Ph.D.

Dr. Steindler’s research focuses on development of stem cell therapies for the treatment of debilitating neurological diseases. During his time at UF, he was also the Joseph J. Bagnor/Shands Professor of Medical Research in UF Neurosurgery. 

doug anderson portrait

2004: Doug Anderson, Ph.D. (interim director)

Dr. Anderson’s research focused on pathophysiology and the treatment of injuries to the central nervous system, particularly the spinal cord. He served as the MBI’s director of research and development from 1999-2003 and as chair of the UF Department of Neuroscience from 1996-2006.

Portrait of Doctor Luttge

1998-2004: Founding Director William Luttge, Ph.D.

Dr. Luttge’s research focused on the effects of steroid hormones on brain function. He also served as chair of UF Neuroscience (1978-1996) and senior dean for research and the basic sciences. He was awarded the College of Medicine’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

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